Two Robbers

When Death from some fair face Is stealing life away, All weep save she the grace That earth must lose to-day.

When Time from some fair face Steals beauty year by year; For her slow-fading grace Who gives save she a tear?

Yet Death not often dares To wake the world's distress, While Time, the cunning, mars Surely all loveliness.

And though by breath and breath, Fades all our fairest prime; Men shrink from cruel Death, But honor crafty Time.